Coordinate input device with controller arranged inside of region covered with shield sheet

ABSTRACT

A coordinate input device including a coordinate sensor and a wireless communication circuit that wirelessly transmits coordinate data, etc. to an external electronic device is realized without affecting coordinate detection by the coordinate sensor and without impeding downsizing of the coordinate input device. A shield sheet (1C) is provided to cover the whole of a surface (back surface) of a sensor (1B) opposite to a sensor input surface (front surface) facing an electronic pen. A controller (200) that controls transmission of the coordinate data detected by the sensor (1B) to the external electronic device is disposed facing the sensor (1B) with the shield sheet (1C) disposed between the sensor and the controller, and a transmission antenna connected with the controller (200) is arranged outside a region covered with the shield sheet (1C).

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a coordinate input device including acoordinate sensor of an electromagnetic induction type or a capacitivecoupling type, for example, and having a function of transmittinginformation representing detected coordinates to an external electronicdevice.

Background Art

A coordinate input device (position input device) including a coordinatesensor of an electromagnetic induction type or a capacitive type andreceiving input of a coordinate position indicated by use of anelectronic pen is used as an input device for inputting information to apersonal computer. Examples of the coordinate sensor of theelectromagnetic induction type are disclosed in literature like PatentDocument 1 mentioned later, and examples of the coordinate sensor of thecapacitive type are disclosed in literature like Patent Document 2mentioned later. The transmission (transfer) of coordinate data(position data) from such a coordinate input device to a personalcomputer recently tends to be carried out by means of wirelesscommunication. For example, communication methods according to variouswireless communication standards, such as the Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) standard, the wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) (registeredtrademark) standard, and the infrared data association (IrDA) standardusing infrared rays, are currently employed.

Among the communication methods according to various wirelesscommunication standards, employing a communication method using radiowaves having a lower frequency (longer wavelength) than infrared rayscan cause a problem. For example, when a communication method accordingto the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard or the Wi-Fi(registered trademark) standard is employed, it appears that the radiowaves transmitted from the coordinate input device to the personalcomputer can interfere with signals communicated between the electronicpen and the coordinate sensor. It also appears that a wirelesscommunication circuit for transmitting data from the coordinate inputdevice to the personal computer can act as a source of noise affectingthe coordinate sensor. Therefore, the wireless communication circuit hasto be arranged at a sufficient distance from the coordinate sensor.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1995-044304

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1995-295722

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE Technical Problems

However, downsizing of the coordinate input devices in recent years ismaking it difficult to arrange the wireless communication circuit, fortransmitting the coordinate data from the coordinate input device to apersonal computer, at a sufficient distance from the coordinate sensor.Further, in consideration of promoting the downsizing of the coordinateinput devices and cost reduction, it is desirable to make it possible touse a substrate on which the wireless communication circuit and atransmission antenna are compactly integrated together. If such asubstrate is usable, simplification of the manufacturing process is alsopossible since steps for connecting the wireless communication circuitand the transmission antenna can be left out.

In consideration of the above-described situation, an object of thepresent disclosure is to realize a coordinate input device including acoordinate sensor and a wireless communication circuit that wirelesslytransmits coordinate data, etc. to an external electronic device withoutaffecting coordinate detection by the coordinate sensor and withoutimpeding downsizing of the coordinate input device.

Technical Solution

To resolve the above-described problems, a coordinate input deviceaccording to the disclosure described in claim 1 includes a sensor, atop plate, a shield sheet, a coordinate data formation circuit, and acontroller. The sensor detects coordinates corresponding to a positionindicated by an electronic pen. The top plate covers an input surface ofthe sensor. The shield sheet has electrical conductivity and magneticproperties, and is provided to cover a whole of a surface of the sensoropposite to the input surface of the sensor. The coordinate dataformation circuit forms coordinate data based on detection output of thesensor in response to an operation input via the top plate. Thecontroller is connected with a transmission antenna and faces the sensorwith the shield sheet disposed between the sensor and the controller,and performs control to hold the coordinate data formed by thecoordinate data formation circuit and to wirelessly transmit thecoordinate data to an external device. The transmission antennaconnected with the controller is arranged outside of a region coveredwith the shield sheet.

In the coordinate input device according to the disclosure described inclaim 1, the top plate is provided to cover the input surface (frontsurface) of the sensor facing the electronic pen. Further, the shieldsheet shields the sensor from radio waves and absorbs leakage ofmagnetic fluxes generated by the sensor and is provided to cover thewhole of the surface (back surface) of the sensor opposite to the inputsurface. The controller performs control to transmit the coordinatedata, formed by the coordinate data formation circuit based on thedetection output of the sensor in response to the operation input viathe top plate, to the external electronic device. The controller isarranged facing the sensor with the shield sheet disposed between thecontroller and the sensor, and the transmission antenna connected withthe controller is arranged outside the region covered with the shieldsheet.

With this configuration, unnecessary radiation and the like from thecontroller can be screened out by the shield sheet and the leakage ofmagnetic fluxes from the sensor can be absorbed by the shield sheet, andthus the controller can be provided in the vicinity of the sensor facingthe sensor. Further, since the transmission antenna connected with thecontroller is arranged outside the region covered with the shield sheet,the radio waves emitted from the transmission antenna can beappropriately transmitted to the external electronic device withoutbeing screened out by the shield sheet. In this case, the transmissionantenna has directivity to emit the radio waves towards the externalelectronic device, and thus the radio waves transmitted from thetransmission antenna can be prevented from interfering with the signalscommunicated between the electronic pen and the sensor or leaking intothe sensor.

Advantageous Effect

According to the present disclosure, a coordinate input device includinga coordinate sensor and a wireless communication circuit that wirelesslytransmits coordinate data, etc. to an external electronic device can berealized without affecting the coordinate detection by the coordinatesensor and without impeding the downsizing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an external appearance of acoordinate input device 1 according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a basic structure of the coordinateinput device 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict diagrams for explaining a general configurationof a controller 200.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of acoordinate sensor 1S of an electromagnetic resonance type.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a multilayer structure in the coordinateinput device 1 as viewed from a side of the coordinate input device 1 onwhich the controller 200 is arranged.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting an internal structure of the coordinateinput device 1 excluding a sensor cover 1D as viewed from the bottom ofthe coordinate input device 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a covertype coordinate input device 5 according to a second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a covertype coordinate input device 5A according to the second embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting a multilayer structure in a coordinateinput device 7 as viewed from a side of the coordinate input device 7 onwhich a controller 200X is arranged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting an internal structure of the coordinateinput device 7 excluding a lower cover 1DX as viewed from the bottom ofthe coordinate input device 7.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C depict diagrams for explaining a concrete modeof usage of the coordinate input device 7.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of acoordinate sensor 1SX of a capacitive type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the coordinate input device according to the presentdisclosure will be described below with reference to drawings. In thefollowing embodiments, description will be given of a coordinate inputdevice of the so-called stand-alone type which can be used separatelyand coordinate input devices of the combined use type which are used incombination with a personal computer of the tablet type (hereinafterreferred to simply as a tablet personal computer (PC)).

First Embodiment External Appearance and Basic Configuration ofCoordinate Input Device 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining external appearance of a coordinateinput device 1 according to a first embodiment. The coordinate inputdevice 1 in the first embodiment is a device of the stand-alone typewhich can be used separately. As depicted in FIG. 1, the coordinateinput device 1 has a clip (handwriting record medium attachment part)1X, for clipping a notepad 3 and fixing the notepad 3 on the coordinateinput device 1, in its upper end and has external appearance similar tothe widely used stationery called a binder or the like. Incidentally,the binder as stationery can also be called a clipboard, a writingboard, etc.

In the present embodiment, a coordinate sensor 1S of theelectro-magnetic resonance (EMR) type is installed in the coordinateinput device 1, by which the device is configured as an electronicbinder. Coordinate data can be inputted to the coordinate input device 1by using an electronic pen 2. As will be explained later, the electronicpen 2 has a function of cooperating with the coordinate sensor 1Sinstalled in the coordinate input device 1 and thereby repeatedlytransmitting a signal receivable by the coordinate sensor 1S (coordinateindication function). Further, the electronic pen 2 includes a lead body2S filled with ink and a tip (pen point) 2T provided at the tip end ofthe lead body and thereby has a function of being capable of leavinghandwriting on a handwriting record medium such as a paper medium(ballpoint pen function).

On the notepad (writing pad) 3 fixed on the coordinate input device 1with the clip 1X as depicted in FIG. 1, characters, symbols, etc. can bewritten and drawn by using the ballpoint pen function of the electronicpen 2. In this case, handwriting with the ink is left on the notepad 3by the ballpoint pen function of the electronic pen 2. At the same time,due to the signal transmitted from the electronic pen 2 to thecoordinate sensor 15 by the coordinate indication function of theelectronic pen 2, coordinate data corresponding to the handwritingformed on the notepad 3 are detected by the coordinate sensor 15 andaccumulated in a memory as electronic data.

While details will be explained later, the coordinate input device 1 isconfigured to be capable of wirelessly transmitting the coordinate data(handwriting data) accumulated in the memory of the coordinate inputdevice 1 to an external electronic device such as a personal computervia a controller and a transmission antenna AT installed in thecoordinate input device 1. Thus, the information recorded on thehandwriting record medium such as a paper medium can be taken in as thecoordinate data (handwriting data) in real time and used without thetrouble of specially taking in the information as electronic data byusing an image reader.

A left edge of the coordinate input device 1's surface facing theelectronic pen 2 is provided with an operation button 207 and lightemitting diodes (LEDs) 208 and 209. The operation button 207 is forreceiving operation inputs from the user, and the LEDs 208 and 209 arefor notifying the user of information such as the operating status ofthe coordinate input device 1. The operation button 207 is amanipulandum operated when the user turns on/off the power, transmitsthe coordinate data taken in, or the like, for example.

Basic Structure of Coordinate Input Device 1

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a basic structure of the coordinateinput device 1. As depicted in FIG. 2, the coordinate input device 1mainly includes a top cover (top plate) 1A, a sensor 1B that detectscoordinates, a shield sheet 1C, and a sensor cover 1D from above. Thesensor cover 1D situated at the bottom is formed of synthetic resin ormetal, for example. In the present embodiment, the sensor cover 1D isconfigured to have a base and side faces (side walls) of a prescribedheight formed around the base as depicted in FIG. 2. Thus, the top ofthe sensor cover 1D is an opening. The shield sheet 1C and the sensor 1Bare stored in the sensor cover 1D through the opening at the top of thesensor cover 1D.

The areas of the shield sheet 1C and the sensor 1B are smaller than thearea of the opening of the sensor cover 1D. The shield sheet 1C isformed by bonding an electromagnetic sheet made of a magnetic materialto a conductive sheet made of indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide, tinoxide or the like, for example. The shield sheet 1C is provided so as tocover the whole of a surface of the sensor 1B opposite to the sidefacing the electronic pen 2 (i.e., a surface facing the sensor cover1D).

The conductive sheet of the shield sheet 1C serves to preventunnecessary signals from leaking into the sensor 1B. Meanwhile, theelectromagnetic sheet of the shield sheet 1C serves to eliminate theleakage of magnetic fluxes generated in the sensor 1B. Incidentally, inthe present embodiment, the shield sheet 1C has a slightly larger areathan the surface (lower surface) of the sensor 1B on the sensor cover1D's side. The shield sheet 1C may also be a member like a film or aplate.

While the detailed configuration of the sensor 1B will be explainedlater, the sensor 1B is basically configured to include a great numberof linear conductors (loop coils) for transmitting signals to theelectronic pen 2, receiving signals from the electronic pen 2, and soforth. The top cover 1A can be formed of material allowing through thesignals transmitted from the electronic pen 2, such as various types ofsynthetic resin. The top cover 1A has a slightly larger area than thetop of the sensor cover 1D and is capable of covering the whole of thetop of the sensor cover 1D. With this configuration, the top of thesensor cover 1D is sealed up with the top cover 1A, and the componentslike the sensor 1B and the shield sheet 1C are prevented from coming outof the sensor cover 1D.

As well as synthetic resin, the top cover 1A can be formed of variousmaterials having permeability to radio waves, such as glass and ceramic.As depicted also in FIG. 1, the upper end of the top cover 1A isprovided with the clip 1X formed of metal or the like, for example,which makes it possible to hold the notepad 3 on the top cover 1A (i.e.,on the coordinate input device 1). To sum up, the top cover 1A coversand protects the sensor 1B while also functioning as a top plate onwhich the notepad 3 is set.

Further, as depicted in FIG. 2 together with the shield sheet 1C, acoordinate data formation circuit 100 and a controller 200 are providedto face the sensor 1B across the shield sheet 1C. The coordinate dataformation circuit 100 forms the coordinate data based on the detectionoutput from the sensor 1B. The controller 200 mainly implements acontrol function of accumulating the coordinate data formed by thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 in the memory, transmitting theaccumulated coordinate data to the external electronic device such as apersonal computer, and so forth.

In the present embodiment, the coordinate data formation circuit 100 andthe controller 200 are circuit boards formed by mounting electroniccomponents, integrated circuits, metallic wiring connecting theelectronic components and the integrated circuits, and so forth at highdensity on a plate-like member made of resin or the like. By placing theshield sheet 1C in between as depicted in FIG. 2, even if the coordinatedata formation circuit 100 and the controller 200 are arranged in theclose vicinity of the sensor 1B to face the sensor 1B, signals emitted(radiated) from these circuit boards can be prevented from leaking intothe sensor 1B. Further, the signals emitted (radiated) from thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 and the controller 200 can beprevented from interfering with the signals communicated between thesensor 1B and the electronic pen 2. Furthermore, the shield sheet 1Celiminates the leakage of magnetic fluxes generated in the sensor 1B andprevents the magnetic fluxes from affecting the coordinate dataformation circuit 100 and the controller 200.

While details will be explained later, the transmission antenna isprovided integrally with the controller 200 configured as the circuitboard. However, if the transmission antenna is also covered with theshield sheet 1C, it is impossible to appropriately transmit thecoordinate data, etc. to the external electronic device. Thus, in thecoordinate input device 1 in the present embodiment, an antenna assembly200A on the controller 200, in which the transmission antenna isarranged, is provided outside the region covered with the shield sheet1C.

Specifically, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2 together with theshield sheet 1C, part of the controller 200 is provided so as to facethe sensor 1B across the shield sheet 1C. However, the antenna assembly200A in which the transmission antenna of the controller 200 is arrangedis provided so as to protrude from the outer edge of the shield sheet1C. With this configuration, the transmission antenna provided on thecontroller 200 is prevented from being covered with the shield sheet 1Cand appropriate transmission of the coordinate data to the externalelectronic device is made possible.

Incidentally, the directivity of the transmission antenna provided inthe antenna assembly 200A is set in an outward direction opposite to theside on which the sensor 1B is situated (inward direction). With thissetting, the signals transmitted from the transmission antenna can beinhibited from leaking into the sensor 1B, interfering with the signalscommunicated between the sensor 1B and the electronic pen 2, and soforth.

Further, as mentioned earlier, the coordinate input device 1 is alsoprovided with the operation button 207 used for indicating the turningon/off of the power and the execution of the transmission of thecoordinate data and the LEDs 208 and 209 for notifying information suchas the operating status. However, if the operation button 207 and theLEDs 208 and 209 are also covered with the shield sheet 1C, the usercannot operate the operation button 207 or check the status of the LEDs.Thus, in the coordinate input device 1 in the present embodiment, a userinterface (hereinafter described as a “user I/F”) 200U on the controller200, in which the operation button 207 and the LEDs 208 and 209 arearranged, is provided outside the region covered with the shield sheet1C.

Specifically, as explained above with reference to FIG. 2, part of thecontroller 200 is provided so as to face the sensor 1B across the shieldsheet 1C as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 together with theshield sheet 1C. In contrast, the user I/F 200U in which the operationbutton 207 and the LEDs 208 and 209 of the controller 200 are arrangedis provided so as to protrude from the outer edge of the shield sheet1C. With this configuration, the operation button 207 and the LEDs 208and 209 provided on the controller 200 are prevented from being coveredwith the shield sheet 1C, which makes it possible to appropriatelyreceive operation inputs from the user and to appropriately notify theuser of information such as the operating status of the device itself.

The coordinate input device 1 in the present embodiment is used bysetting the notepad 3 on a top surface of the top cover 1A as depictedin FIG. 2, fixing the notepad 3 with the clip 1X, and recordinghandwriting on the notepad 3 by using the electronic pen 2.

Configuration of Controller 200

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict diagrams for explaining a general configurationof the controller 200. FIG. 3A depicts the condition of a surface (lowersurface) of the controller 200 facing the sensor cover 1D. FIG. 3B is adiagram for explaining the condition of a surface (upper surface) of thecontroller 200 facing the shield sheet 1C. As depicted in FIGS. 3A and3B, the controller 200 is configured as a long and narrow circuit boardhaving two long sides and two short sides. The user I/F 200U and theantenna assembly 200A are provided on one long side as two protrudingparts. The user I/F 200U is provided with the operation button 207 andthe LEDs 208 and 209. The antenna assembly 200A is provided with thetransmission antenna AT.

As depicted in FIG. 3A, on the lower surface of the controller 200,various electronic components and various integrated circuits aremounted at high density while being connected together by metallicwiring. While explanation of the wiring is omitted here because of itscomplexity, mounted components include a central processing unit (CPU)201, a memory 202 and a transmitter 203. The transmission antenna AT isconnected to the transmitter 203. The lower surface of the controller200 is also provided with a universal serial bus (USB) terminal 204, abattery terminal 205, a connection terminal 206 to the coordinate dataformation circuit 100, and so forth.

The CPU 201 controls each of the controller 200. Specifically, the CPU201 controls the turning on/off of the power and the LEDs in response touser operations on the operation button. The CPU 201 also performscontrol of receiving the coordinate data from the coordinate dataformation circuit 100 and writing the coordinate data to the memory 202,control of reading out the coordinate data written to the memory 202 andtransmitting the coordinate data via the transmitter 203, and so forth.The memory 202 mainly stores and holds the coordinate data. Other datamay also be recorded in the memory 202 as needed. The transmitter 203 inthe present embodiment mainly implements a function of transmitting thecoordinate data to the external electronic device by a wirelesscommunication method according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark)standard, for example.

As depicted in FIG. 3B, on the upper surface of the controller 200, theuser I/F 200U is provided with the operation button 207 and the LEDs 208and 209. Incidentally, there are also cases where the upper surface ofthe controller 200 is provided with metallic wiring to connect with anelectronic component or the like on the lower surface via a so-calledthrough hole. The controller 200 configured as above is arranged so thatthe part, other than the antenna assembly 200A and the user I/F 200Uprovided as the protruding parts, faces the sensor 1B across the shieldsheet 1C. That is, the controller 200 is arranged so that the antennaassembly 200A and the user I/F 200U as the protruding parts can beprovided outside the region covered with the shield sheet 1C.

Configuration Example of Coordinate Sensor 1S

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of thecoordinate sensor 1S of the electromagnetic resonance type installed inthe coordinate input device 1 of the present embodiment. The coordinatesensor 1S is formed by connecting the sensor 1B for the coordinatedetection having a prescribed area and the coordinate data formationcircuit 100 together. The coordinate sensor 1S and the electronic pen 2constitute an input device of the coordinate input device 1. Thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 is arranged to face the sensor 1Bacross the shield sheet 1C. Incidentally, the sensor 1B and thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 are connected together via aterminal (connector) that is not illustrated.

FIG. 4 also depicts circuitry of a signal transceiver of the electronicpen (pen-type position indicator) 2 used for the inputting to theelectromagnetic resonance type sensor 1B. The electronic pen 2 includesa resonance circuit formed of a coil 2L and a capacitor 2C connected inparallel to the coil 2L. Further, as explained earlier with reference toFIG. 1, the electronic pen 2 also has a ballpoint pen function of beingcapable of leaving handwriting on a paper medium or the like via the tip2T projecting from the tip end of the electronic pen 2 with the inkfilled into the ferrite lead body 2S wound with the coil 2L.

The coordinate data formation circuit 100 connected to the sensor 1Bconstitutes a control circuit of the coordinate sensor 15. Thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 includes a selection circuit 101,a transmission/reception switch circuit 102, a transmission signalgeneration circuit 110, a reception signal processing circuit 120, and aprocess control circuit 130. The transmission signal generation circuit110 includes an oscillator 111 and a current driver 112. The receptionsignal processing circuit 120 includes a reception amplifier 121, a wavedetection circuit 122, a low pass filter (LPF) 123, a sampling/holdcircuit (described as S/H in FIG. 4) 124, and an analog/digital (A/D)conversion circuit 125. The process control circuit 130 is formed of aso-called microprocessor.

The selection circuit 101 is connected to a loop coil set 15X and a loopcoil set 15Y of the sensor 1B. The selection circuit 101 successivelyselects a loop coil for signal transmission/reception from the loop coilsets 15X and 15Y of the sensor 1B according to a selection controlsignal from the process control circuit 130. The loop coil selected bythe selection circuit 101 is connected to a movable terminal M of thetransmission/reception switch circuit 102.

The transmission signal generation circuit 110, as a circuit thatsupplies signals to the loop coils, is formed of the oscillator 111 andthe current driver 112. The oscillator 111 generates an alternatingcurrent (AC) signal at a frequency f0. This AC signal is supplied to thecurrent driver 112, converted into electric current, and thereaftersupplied to the transmission/reception switch circuit 102. Thetransmission/reception switch circuit 102 switches the destination ofconnection of the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 101 (atransmission-side terminal T or a reception-side terminal R) atprescribed time intervals according to control by the process controlcircuit 130. The current driver 112 and the reception amplifier 121 arerespectively connected to the transmission-side terminal T and thereception-side terminal R.

Accordingly, when the transmission/reception switch circuit 102 isselecting the transmission-side terminal T (at times of transmission),the AC signal from the current driver 112 is supplied to the loop coilselected by the selection circuit 101. When the transmission/receptionswitch circuit 102 is selecting the reception-side terminal R (at timesof reception), a signal corresponding to induction voltage generated inthe loop coil selected by the selection circuit 101 is supplied to thereception signal processing circuit 120.

The reception signal processing circuit 120 is supplied with the signalcorresponding to the induction voltage generated in the loop coilselected by the selection circuit 101. This signal is supplied to thereception amplifier 121 via the selection circuit 101 and thereception-side terminal R of the transmission/reception switch circuit102, amplified by the reception amplifier 121, and sent out to the wavedetection circuit 122.

The signal detected by the wave detection circuit 122 is supplied to theA/D conversion circuit 125 via the LPF 123 and the sampling/hold circuit124. The A/D conversion circuit 125 converts the analog signal detectedby the wave detection circuit 122 into a digital signal and supplies thedigital signal to the process control circuit 130.

The process control circuit 130 performs control to detect a positionindicated by the electronic pen 2 while also performing a process ofdetermining the position on the sensor 1B indicated by the electronicpen 2. Here, the control to detect the position indicated by theelectronic pen 2 includes control of the loop coil selection by theselection circuit 101, the signal switching by thetransmission/reception switch circuit 102, processing timing of thesampling/hold circuit 124, and so forth.

Next, the operation of the coordinate sensor 1S will be described below.First, the process control circuit 130 controls thetransmission/reception switch circuit 102 and thereby switches theselection circuit 101 to be connected to the transmission-side terminalT. Accordingly, the AC signal sent out from the transmission signalgeneration circuit 110 is supplied to the loop coil selected from theloop coil set 15X or 15Y by the selection circuit 101. The loop coilsupplied with the AC signal from the transmission signal generationcircuit 110 transmits a signal due to electromagnetic induction. In thedescription in this application, the signal transmitted from the sensor1B to the electronic pen 2 as explained above is referred to as atransmission signal. The resonance circuit of the electronic pen 2receives the signal transmitted from the loop coil, thereby charges thecapacitor 2C, makes the coil 2L generate an induction voltage, andtransmits a reflective signal.

Subsequently, the process control circuit 130 performs switching controlso as to connect the transmission/reception switch circuit 102 to thereception-side terminal R. In this case, an induction voltage occurs ineach loop coil in the loop coil sets 15X and 15Y due to the reflectivesignal transmitted from the electronic pen 2. The reflective signaltransmitted from the electronic pen 2 is detected through the receptionsignal processing circuit 120. The process control circuit 130calculates coordinate values of the position on the sensor 1B (i.e., onan indication input surface of the sensor 1B) in the X-axis directionand the Y-axis direction based on the level of the voltage value of theinduction voltage occurring in each loop coil.

In other words, the process control circuit 130 calculates thecoordinate values of the indication position on the sensor 1B in theX-axis direction and the Y-axis direction based on the signal level ofthe reception signal received by each loop coil recognized as thevoltage value. Then, the process control circuit 130 transmitsinformation on the calculated coordinate values (coordinate data) to thecontroller 200, by which the coordinate data can be written to thememory of the controller 200. In the description in this application,the signal transmitted from the electronic pen 2 and received by thesensor 1B as explained above (reflective signal) is referred to as thereception signal.

As above, the coordinate sensor 1S formed of the sensor 1B and thecoordinate data formation circuit 100 determines the indication positionon the sensor 1B indicated through the electronic pen 2 by repeating thesignal transmission to the electronic pen 2 and the reception of thereflective signal from the electronic pen 2. By such a process performedrepeatedly, the handwriting recorded on the notepad 3 (paper medium)with the electronic pen 2 is detected and the coordinate datacorresponding to the handwriting are formed and accumulated in thememory.

Details of Arrangement of Controller 200

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the coordinate input device 1 asviewed from a side face's side. FIG. 5 depicts a multilayer structure inthe coordinate input device 1 as viewed from the side on which thecontroller 200 is arranged. As depicted in FIG. 5, the coordinate inputdevice 1 has a multilayer structure including the sensor cover 1D as afirst layer, the coordinate data formation circuit 100 and thecontroller 200 as a second layer, the shield sheet 1C as a third layer,the sensor 1B as a fourth layer, and the top cover (top plate) 1A as afifth layer stacked up from the bottom. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 5 andas explained earlier with reference to FIG. 2, the coordinate dataformation circuit 100 and the controller 200 are not situated above thesensor 1B or on the same plane as the sensor 1B. The coordinate dataformation circuit 100 and the controller 200 are situated below theshield sheet 1C so as not to directly contact the sensor 1B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting an internal structure of the coordinateinput device 1 excluding the sensor cover 1D as viewed from the bottom.In FIG. 6, the sensor 1B is indicated by dotted lines, and the whole ofthe lower surface of the sensor 1B is covered with the shield sheet 1C.The shield sheet 1C is of the same size as the lower surface of thesensor 1B or slightly larger than the lower surface. As depicted in FIG.6, the coordinate data formation circuit 100, the controller 200, and abattery 300 are arranged on the surface of the shield sheet 1C oppositeto the surface facing the sensor 1B.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the coordinate data formation circuit 100 isconnected to the controller 200 via the connection terminal 206, whilethe battery 300 is connected to the controller 200 via the batteryterminal 205. The electric power from the battery 300 is supplied alsoto the coordinate data formation circuit 100 via the controller 200.

In the coordinate input device 1 in the present embodiment, thecoordinate data formation circuit 100, the controller 200, and thebattery 300 are arranged to face the sensor 1B across the shield sheet1C as depicted in FIG. 6. That is, the coordinate data formation circuit100, the controller 200, and the battery 300 can be arranged in thevicinity of the sensor 1B by placing the shield sheet 1C in between.

However, not the whole of the controller 200 faces the sensor 1B acrossthe shield sheet 1C. As explained earlier with reference to FIGS. 3A and3B, the controller 200 is provided with the two protruding parts: theantenna assembly 200A and the user I/F 200U. The controller 200 isarranged so that the antenna assembly 200A and the user I/F 200U aresituated outside the region covered with the shield sheet 1C as depictedin FIG. 6.

In other words, part of the controller 200 as a signal source, excludingthe antenna assembly 200A and the user I/F 200U operated by the user, isprovided in the vicinity of the sensor 1B so as to face the sensor 1Bacross the shield sheet 1C. Therefore, even if a signal is generated inthe part of the controller 200 facing the sensor 1B and emitted, leakageof the emitted signal into the sensor 1B is prevented thanks to theexistence of the shield sheet 1C. Further, the magnetic fluxes generatedby the sensor 1B are also absorbed by the shield sheet 1C and preventedfrom affecting the coordinate data formation circuit 100 or thecontroller 200.

In contrast, the antenna assembly 200A and the user I/F 200U of thecontroller 200 are situated outside the region covered with the shieldsheet 1C as depicted in FIG. 6. Thus, the antenna assembly 200A and theuser I/F 200U are not covered with the shield sheet 1C, nor do they facethe sensor 1B. While the antenna assembly 200A is provided with thetransmission antenna AT formed of a planar conductor, the transmissionantenna AT can be arranged at a position slightly apart from the sensor1B.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission antenna AT of theantenna assembly 200A has directivity characteristics to emit radiowaves in directions of separating from the sensor 1B, and thus the radiowaves emitted from the transmission antenna AT do not leak into thesensor 1B. Furthermore, signals emitted from the transmission antenna ATare prevented from interfering with the signals communicated between thesensor 1B and the electronic pen 2.

Operations on Coordinate Input Device 1 and Coordinate Data TransmissionProcess

The power of the coordinate input device 1 in the present embodimentconfigured as above is turned on and off by depressing the operationbutton 207 provided on the user I/F 200U. Specifically, to turn on thepower of the coordinate input device 1 when the power is off, theoperation button 207 is depressed once. In response, the CPU 201 of thecontroller 200 functions and the electric power from the battery 300 issupplied to each to turn each into the operating state. When the poweris turned on, the CPU 201 of the controller 200 lights up the LED 209,for example. This allows the user to recognize that the coordinate inputdevice 1 is in a power on state.

To turn off the power of the coordinate input device 1 that has been on,a so-called hold down operation is performed on the operation button207. Specifically, a depressing operation on the operation button 207 iscontinued for approximately three seconds. The CPU 201 detecting thehold down operation on the operation button 207 controls each part toend the processing, stops supplying the electric power to each part, andturns off the power of the coordinate input device 1. In this case, theLED 209 is also turned off, allowing the user to recognize that thecoordinate input device 1 has been turned off. As above, the turning onand off of the power of the coordinate input device 1 can be carried outby the operations on the operation button 207.

It is assumed here that the user has turned on the power of thecoordinate input device 1 and thereafter left handwriting on the notepad3 fixed on the coordinate input device 1 by writing characters, figures,etc. with the electronic pen 2, for example. In this case, coordinatedata corresponding to the handwriting are formed by the functions of thesensor 1B and the coordinate data formation circuit 100 based onreception positions of the aforementioned reflective signal from theelectronic pen 2 on the sensor 1B. The coordinate data formed as aboveare supplied to the controller 200 and accumulated in the memory 202.

It is of course possible to transmit the coordinate data formed by thefunctions of the sensor 1B and the coordinate data formation circuit 100to the external electronic device in real time. In this case, thecoordinate data can be transmitted to the external electronic deviceeither not via the memory 202 or after recording the coordinate data inthe memory 202 once. In cases where the coordinate data are transmittedto the external electronic device in real time as above, the coordinatedata immediately becomes available also in the external electronicdevice.

However, there are cases where the usability is improved by making itpossible to transmit a cluster of coordinate data to the externalelectronic device with timing intended by the user, such as at the endof describing information on one page of the notepad 3, instead ofconstantly transmitting the coordinate data. Further, transmitting acluster of coordinate data reduces power consumption in comparison withconstantly performing the transmission process.

Thus, in the coordinate input device 1 of the present embodiment, thecoordinate data accumulated in the memory 202 can be transmitted to theexternal electronic device all at once by depressing the operationbutton 207 once when the power is on. In this case, the CPU 201 lightsup the LED 208 during the transmission of the coordinate data to theexternal electronic device, and extinguishes the LED 208 when thetransmission of the coordinate data is over. This makes it possible tonotify the user whether or not the coordinate input device 1 is in themiddle of transmitting the coordinate data.

Incidentally, coordinate data transmitted normally may be deleted fromthe memory 202, by which repeated transmission of the same coordinatedata can be avoided. Employing a method of storing coordinate data inthe memory once makes it possible to retransmit the coordinate data whenan error occurred in the transmission, for example.

Coordinate data transmitted appropriately may also be accumulated in thememory 202 as a cluster of already-transmitted coordinate data to bediscriminable from coordinate data not transmitted yet. As a simplemethod, it is effective to separate files for accumulating untransmittedcoordinate data and files for accumulating already-transmittedcoordinate data from each other. With such a configuration, coordinatedata formed once can be transmitted to the external electronic deviceand made available any time in response to the user's request.

It is also possible to perform control so as not to carry out thecoordinate data transmission process in response to the depressingoperation on the operation button 207 of the coordinate input device 1in the power on state if no accumulated data exists in the memory 202.

Incidentally, while the transmitter 203 of the controller 200 has beendescribed to perform wireless communication according to the Bluetooth(registered trademark) standard in the above embodiment, the standardfor the wireless communication is not limited to this example. Variouswireless communication standards such as short-range wirelesscommunication standards called Wi-Fi (registered trademark), near fieldradio communication (NFC), etc. can be employed, for example. In short,various communication methods using radio waves having a lower frequency(longer wavelength) than infrared rays can be employed.

The coordinate input to the coordinate input device 1 of the presentembodiment is made necessarily by use of the electronic pen 2.Therefore, it is desirable to provide an attachment part for theelectronic pen 2 at an appropriate position on the coordinate inputdevice 1 so as to prevent the electronic pen 2 from separating from thecoordinate input device 1 when not used. The attachment part can beconfigured in various ways, such as providing a holder or a pocket thatstores the electronic pen 2, providing a hook that engages with a clipformed on a cap of the electronic pen 2, or providing a ring member thatholds the electronic pen 2.

While the coordinate sensor 18 of the electromagnetic resonance type isused in the present embodiment, the type of the coordinate sensor is notlimited to this example. It is also possible to use a coordinate sensorof the electromagnetic induction type having only a function ofreceiving a signal for position indication from the electronic pen 2without transmitting a signal to the electronic pen. In this case, theelectronic pen 2 includes a battery and is capable of spontaneouslytransmitting the signal for position indication to the sensor.

The coordinate sensor corresponding to the electronic pen capable ofspontaneously transmitting the signal for position indication to thesensor has a configuration obtained by removing thetransmission/reception switch circuit 102 and the transmission signalgeneration circuit 110 including the oscillator 111 and the currentdriver 112 from the electromagnetic resonance type coordinate sensordepicted in FIG. 4. That is, the coordinate sensor is configured so thatthe reception signal from the selection circuit 101 is directly suppliedto the reception signal processing circuit 120.

Second Embodiment External Appearance and Basic Configuration of CoverType Coordinate Input Devices 5 and 5A

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining concrete examples of acombined use type coordinate input device according to a secondembodiment to be used in combination with a tablet PC. Specifically,FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a covertype coordinate input device 5 as a combined use type coordinate inputdevice, while FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration exampleof another cover type coordinate input device 5A as a combined use typecoordinate input device. In the following description, each cover typecoordinate input device will be referred to simply as a coordinate inputdevice.

Configuration Example of Coordinate Input Device 5

First, the coordinate input device 5 will be explained below. Asdepicted in FIG. 7, the coordinate input device 5 is a device of theso-called book type which can be folded in half, mainly including acoordinate sensor assembly (back cover) 51 in which the coordinatesensor is arranged, a tablet PC mount (front cover) 52 on which a tabletPC is mounted, and a spine 53.

The coordinate sensor assembly (back cover) 51 is configured similarlyto the coordinate input device 1 in the first embodiment which has beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. That is, as explained earlierby mainly referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the coordinate sensor assembly 51is configured by stacking the top cover (top plate) 1A, the sensor 1B,the shield sheet 1C, and the sensor cover 1D. In FIG. 7, a coordinatedetection area AR indicated by solid lines corresponds to an area(region) in which the coordinate detection by the sensor 1B is possible.

Incidentally, while the coordinate input device 5 in the secondembodiment is not provided with the clip 1X for the notepad 3, a partincluding the coordinate detection area is provided with a slit intowhich the spine of the notepad can be inserted, for example. Byinserting the spine of the notepad 3 into the slit, the notepad 3 can befixed on the coordinate sensor assembly 51.

Also in the coordinate sensor assembly 51 in the present embodiment, thecoordinate data formation circuit 100, the controller 200, and thebattery 300 are provided to face the sensor 1B across the shield sheet1C as depicted in FIG. 7. That is, the coordinate data formation circuit100, the controller 200, and the battery 300 can be provided in thevicinity of the sensor 1B by placing the shield sheet in between.Further, the controller 200 is provided with the antenna assembly 200Aand the user I/F 200U as the protruding parts as explained earlier withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Thus, also in the coordinate sensor assembly 51, the controller 200 isarranged so that its antenna assembly 200A and user I/F 200U aresituated outside the region covered with the shield sheet 1C asindicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7. In the coordinate sensor assembly51 in the present embodiment, the antenna assembly 200A and the user I/F200U are arranged to be situated on the tablet PC mount 52's side.

The tablet PC mount 52 in the present embodiment is a part on which atablet PC having a communication function according to the Bluetooth(registered trademark) standard is mounted. The tablet PC mount 52 isprovided with a holder 57 that holds the mounted tablet PC on the tabletPC mount 52. The tablet PC is held by the holder 57 to be attachable anddetachable to/from the tablet PC mount 52. The tablet PC mount 52 can beformed by using various materials such as synthetic resin or aluminum,or by using various materials in combination, for example.

The spine 53 links (connects) the coordinate sensor assembly 51 and thetablet PC mount 52 together and serves as a center part, or a centralpart when the coordinate input device 5 is folded in half. In short, thespine 53 has a function of a so-called hinge. The spine 53 can also beformed by using various materials such as synthetic resin or aluminum,or by using various materials in combination. The spine 53 is providedwith an electronic pen attachment part 54 as indicated by dotted lines.The electronic pen can be attached and detached to/from the electronicpen attachment 54.

In this example, an upper end of the electronic pen attachment part 54is provided with a clip insertion part that enables the user to attachthe electronic pen 2 to the electronic pen attachment part 54 byinserting a clip formed on a cap of the electronic pen 2 into the clipinsertion part. The function of holding the electronic pen 2 can beimplemented in various modes, such as providing a holder or pocket thatstores the electronic pen 2 or providing a ring that holds theelectronic pen 2.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the transmission antenna AT of the controller 200is situated on the tablet PC's side, that is, in the vicinity of thespine 53. Further, as depicted in FIG. 7, the coordinate sensor assembly51 and the tablet PC mount 52 are linked together by the spine 53 andtheir positional relationship is maintained to be close to each other.This makes it possible to maintain a desirable state with no obstacle orthe like existing between the controller 200 and the tablet PC'scontroller. With this configuration, wireless communication can beperformed excellently between the controller 200 of the coordinatesensor assembly 51 and the controller of the tablet PC.

Specifically, the coordinate data detected by the sensor 1B arranged(installed) in the coordinate sensor assembly 51 can be transmitted viathe controller 200 to the tablet PC mounted on the tablet PC mount 52reliably and excellently. The tablet PC mounted on the tablet PC mount52 can receive the coordinate data transmitted from the controller 200of the coordinate sensor assembly 51 reliably and excellently and usethe received coordinate data. Further, the configuration enabling thecoordinate data formation circuit 100, the controller 200, and thebattery 300 to be arranged in the vicinity of the sensor 1B by placingthe shield sheet 1C in between is similar to that in the firstembodiment described above.

Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the coordinate input device 5 in thepresent embodiment can be folded in half around the spine 53 to make thecoordinate sensor assembly 51 and the tablet PC mount 52 face eachother. Moreover, as depicted in FIG. 7, a left lateral part of thetablet PC mount 52 is provided with a hook 55, while a right lateralpart of the coordinate sensor assembly 51 is provided with a band 56.Thus, when the coordinate input device 5 has been folded around thespine 53 to make the coordinate sensor assembly 51 and the tablet PCmount 52 face each other, the folded state can be maintained by engagingthe band 56 with the hook 55.

With this configuration, the size of the coordinate input device 5 inthe folded state can be as small as approximately the half of the sizein the opened state. The display screen of a tablet PC 6 mounted on thetablet PC mount 52 is brought into a state of facing the upper surfaceof the coordinate sensor assembly 51 without being exposed to theoutside. Since this state can be maintained by the function of the hook55 and the band 56, it becomes easy to carry the coordinate input device5 while protecting the display screen of the tablet PC 6.

Configuration Example of Coordinate Input Device 5A

Next, the coordinate input device 5A will be explained below. Asdepicted in FIG. 8, the coordinate input device 5A basically has similarconfiguration to the coordinate input device 5 depicted in FIG. 7. Thus,in the coordinate input device 5A depicted in FIG. 8, parts configuredin similar way to the coordinate input device 5 depicted in FIG. 7 areassigned the same reference symbols as in FIG. 7 and repeatedexplanation thereof is omitted for brevity. In the coordinate inputdevice 5A depicted in FIG. 8, the configuration of a tablet PC mount(front cover) 52A on which the tablet PC is mounted differs from that ofthe tablet PC mount 52 of the coordinate input device 5 depicted in FIG.7.

The tablet PC mount 52A of the coordinate input device 5A is providedwith a sleeve (tablet PC storage) 58 instead of the holder 57 providedon the tablet PC mount 52 depicted in FIG. 7. The tablet PC 6 can bestored in the sleeve 58. Thus, when the tablet PC 6 is not used, thetablet PC 6 can be stored in the sleeve 58 as depicted in FIG. 8 and thecoordinate input device 5A can be folded in half and carried in similarway to the coordinate input device 5 explained above with reference toFIG. 7.

When the tablet PC 6 is used, the tablet PC 6 is extracted from thesleeve 58 and mounted on the sleeve 58 of the tablet PC mount 52A to beusable. In this example, however, the tablet PC is not fixed to thetablet PC mount 52A, and thus the user can operate the tablet PC 6 whileholding the tablet PC alone as needed.

As above, in the case of the coordinate input device 5A depicted in FIG.8, by utilizing the sleeve 58, the tablet PC used in combination withthe coordinate input device 5A can be held easily and safely and carriedtogether with the coordinate input device 5A. Further, since the tabletPC can be extracted from the sleeve 58 with ease and used without beingfixed to the tablet PC mount 52A, it is also easy to pick up the tabletPC only and use the tablet PC alone.

Incidentally, while the coordinate input device 5 depicted in FIG. 7 inwhich the tablet PC mount 52 is provided with the holder 57 for thetablet PC and the coordinate input device 5A depicted in FIG. 8 in whichthe tablet PC mount 52A is provided with the sleeve for storing thetablet PC have been explained here, the configuration of the tablet PCmount is not limited to these examples. For example, the coordinateinput device may also be configured in a style with no holder 57 orsleeve 58 provided on the front cover serving as the tablet PC mount. Inthis case, such a configuration is equivalent to a device obtained byproviding the coordinate input device 1 depicted in FIG. 1 with a coverfor protecting the upper surface's side of the coordinate input device1.

Further, while the transmission antenna AT has been assumed to bearranged on the tablet PC mount 52 or 52A's side of the coordinatesensor assembly 51 as explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, theconfiguration regarding the transmission antenna AT is not limited tothis example. For example, the entire controller 200 or the antennaassembly 200A as the protruding part may be configured in the form of aflexible substrate to be freely foldable and to protrude from part ofthe controller 200.

With such a configuration, it is also possible to arrange thetransmission antenna AT in the spine 53 or on the tablet PC mount 52 or52A's side. In such cases, the transmission antenna AT can be placedfarther from the sensor 1B and closer to the tablet PC.

Another Embodiment

A coordinate input device 7 according to another embodiment describedbelow is a coordinate input device configured so that a binder(clipboard) as general-purpose stationery can be attached and detachedto/from the coordinate input device. With this configuration, when thebinder as general-purpose stationery is attached to the coordinate inputdevice 7 of the present embodiment, the coordinate input device 7implements functions similarly to the coordinate input device 1 of thefirst embodiment having the function of the binder and the function ofthe coordinate sensor in one body. When the binder as general-purposestationery is not attached to the coordinate input device 7 of thepresent embodiment, the coordinate input device 7 implements thefunction of an input device called a tablet, digitizer, etc. forinputting coordinate data to an information processing device such as apersonal computer.

In the coordinate input device 7 of the present embodiment describedbelow, parts configured in similar way to the coordinate input device 1of the first embodiment described earlier are assigned the samereference symbols as in the first embodiment and repeated explanationthereof is omitted for brevity.

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting multilayer structure in the coordinateinput device 7 of the present embodiment as viewed from a side on whicha controller 200X is arranged. As depicted in FIG. 9, the coordinateinput device 7 of the present embodiment is formed by storing the sensor1B, the shield sheet 1C, the coordinate data formation circuit 100, andthe controller 200X in a housing made up of an upper cover 1AX and alower cover 1DX. The arrangement of these components is substantiallysimilar to that in the coordinate input device 1 of the first embodimentexplained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5.

Specifically, the sensor 1B of the electromagnetic resonance type havinga prescribed area is provided under the upper cover 1AX. Under thesensor 1B, the shield sheet 1C is provided so as to cover the whole ofthe surface of the sensor 1B opposite to the surface facing theelectronic pen. The controller 200X and the coordinate data formationcircuit 100 are provided across the shield sheet 1C from the sensor 1B.

The controller 200X in the present embodiment differs from thecontroller 200 in the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 7 in theshape although the mounted electronic components, etc. are the same. Thecontroller 200X in the present embodiment is configured so that an IF200C, including a user I/F (operation unit) provided with the operationbutton 207 and the LEDs 208 and 209 and a transmission antenna assemblyprovided with the transmission antenna AT, projects to the outside ofthe coordinate input device 7.

In the coordinate input device 7 of the present embodiment, the IF 200Cof the controller 200X is configured as a flexible substrate that can befolded. Accordingly, the operation button 207, the LEDs 208 and 209, andthe transmission antenna AT can be placed on the upper cover 1AX of thecoordinate input device 7 by folding the IF 200C to the upper cover1AX's side. This configuration allows the user to operate the operationbutton 207 and view the status display by the LEDs 208 and 209 withease, while also enabling excellent radio wave transmission from thetransmission antenna AT.

FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting internal structure of the coordinateinput device 7 excluding the lower cover 1DX as viewed from the bottom.The arrangement relationship, etc. of the shield sheet 1C and the sensor1B indicated by dotted lines are similar to those in the firstembodiment explained with reference to FIG. 6. The configuration inwhich the coordinate data formation circuit 100, the main of thecontroller 200X, and the battery 300 are arranged across the shieldsheet 1C from the sensor 1B is also similar to that in the firstembodiment explained with reference to FIG. 6. Here, a main part of thecontroller 200X includes a part on which the CPU 201, the memory 202,the transmitter 203, etc. are mounted. Thus, by placing the shield sheet1C in between, the coordinate data formation circuit 100, the main ofthe controller 200X, and the battery 300 can be arranged in the vicinityof the sensor 1B.

As depicted in FIG. 10, in the coordinate input device 7 of the presentembodiment, the strip-shaped IF 200C provided with the transmissionantenna AT, the operation button 207, and the LEDs 208 and 209 isconfigured to be connected to the main part of the controller 200X.Further, the strip-shaped IF 200C provided with the transmission antennaAT, the operation button 207, and the LEDs 208 and 209 has a shapeprojecting from the coordinate input device 7's housing made up of theupper cover 1AX and the lower cover 1DX as depicted also in FIG. 9.

As above, an important difference is that the user I/F 200U and theantenna assembly 200A of the controller 200, which were situated insidethe housing of the coordinate input device 1 in the first embodiment,are provided to project to the outside of the housing. Incidentally,while the operation button 207 is configured to be operable by the userand the LEDs 208 and 209 are configured to be monitorable by the user,the transmission antenna AT is configured so as not to be directlytouched by the user. Specifically, the IF 200C of the controller 200X inthe present embodiment is covered with resin or the like, for example,so that the user cannot directly touch the wiring, transmission antenna,etc. Of course, the operation button 207 is configured to be operable bythe user and the LEDs 208 and 209 are configured to be viewable by theuser.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C depict diagrams for explaining a concrete modeof usage of the coordinate input device 7. FIG. 11A is an external viewof the coordinate input device 7 and FIG. 11B is an external view of abinder 8 as general-purpose stationery mounted on the coordinate inputdevice 7 and used. As depicted in FIG. 11B, the binder 8 is configuredso that a notepad 3 can be fixed thereon with a clip 1X and used. FIG.11C is an external view depicting a state in which the binder 8 has beenmounted on the coordinate input device 7 to be usable.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the binder 8 serves as the topplate for the coordinate input device 7, and the coordinate input deviceis attachable and detachable to/from the lower side of the binder 8. Putanother way, the binder 8 functioning as the top plate of the coordinateinput device 7 is attachable and detachable to/from the coordinate inputdevice 7.

As depicted in FIG. 11A, the four corners of the coordinate input device7 in the present embodiment are provided with bands 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, and 7d having elasticity for holding the binder 8 mounted on the coordinateinput device 7 securely on the coordinate input device 7. The bands 7 a,7 b, 7 c, and 7 d are formed of rubber or resin. Among these four bands,the band 7 d in the upper left part functions also to hold the IF 200C,configured to be foldable and connected to the main part of thecontroller 200X, on the upper cover 1AX of the coordinate input device7.

Therefore, when the coordinate input device 7 is in the state depictedin FIG. 11A, if the binder 8 is mounted on the coordinate input device 7and held with the bands 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, and 7 d, the IF 200C sandwichedbetween the coordinate input device 7 and the binder 8 is not exposed.Accordingly, erroneous operations on the operation button 207 can beprevented when the coordinate input device 7 is carried or not used, forexample.

As depicted in FIG. 11C, when the binder 8 is mounted on the coordinateinput device 7 and used, the IF 200C configured to be foldable is heldon the binder 8 by using the band 7 d. This allows the IF 200C includingthe operation button 207 and the LEDs 208 and 209 to be held on thebinder 8 in the exposed state. Accordingly, the operation button 207 ofthe IF 200C becomes operable by the user, the LEDs 208 and 209 of the IF200C become viewable by the user, and the user is enabled to grasp theoperating status of the coordinate input device 7 based on the displaystatus of the LEDs.

Further, the IF 200C is provided with the transmission antenna AT. Inthis case, the transmission antenna AT is situated in the upper left endpart as depicted in FIG. 11C. This allows the transmission antenna AT tobe situated outside the coordinate input device 7, by which thecoordinate data transmission can be carried out excellently.

Incidentally, while the operation button 207, the LEDs 208 and 209, andthe transmission antenna AT are arranged in the IF 200C provided toproject from the coordinate input device 7 in the present embodimentexplained with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the arrangement of theoperation button 207, the LEDs 208 and 209, and the transmission antennaAT is not limited to this example. At least the operation button 207 andthe LEDs 208 and 209 are arranged in the IF 200C provided to projectfrom the coordinate input device 7. However, it is of course possible toarrange the transmission antenna AT in a protruding part that protrudesfrom the main part of the controller 200X to have the transmissionantenna AT itself situated inside the housing of the coordinate inputdevice 7 similarly to the first and second embodiments describedearlier.

Further, while the controller 200X has been assumed to be configured asa flexible substrate in the coordinate input device 7 of the presentembodiment, the configuration of the controller 200X is not limited tothis example. It is also possible to configure the main part of thecontroller 200X as an ordinary circuit board and form only the IF 200Cwith a foldable material.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment is configured so that a notepad(handwriting record medium) 3 can be fixed to the binder (top plate) 8and the binder 8 can be attached and detached to/from the coordinateinput device 7, the usage of the coordinate input device 7 is notlimited to this example. Of course, the coordinate input device 7 mayalso be used with a notepad directly attached thereto. In short, it issufficient if a handwriting record medium such as a notepad isattachable and detachable to/from the coordinate input device 7. In suchcases where a notepad is directly attached to the coordinate inputdevice 7, the upper cover 1AX of the coordinate input device implementsthe function of the top plate of the coordinate input device 1 forholding the handwriting record medium.

Another Example of Coordinate Sensor

While the coordinate input devices in the above embodiments have beendescribed to employ a coordinate sensor of the electromagnetic resonancetype (EMR type) or the electromagnetic induction type as the coordinatesensor 1S, the coordinate sensor 1S is not limited to these types; acoordinate sensor of the capacitive type can also be employed. In thefollowing, a configuration example of a coordinate sensor of thecapacitive type and a configuration example of an electronic pen usedwith the capacitive type coordinate sensor (capacitive type electronicpen (active electronic pen)) will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the basic configuration of acapacitive type electronic pen (hereinafter referred to simply as anelectronic pen) 9 and a configuration example of a capacitive typecoordinate sensor 1SX receiving a signal from the electronic pen 9 anddetecting the indication position on a sensor 1BX.

First, the basic configuration of the electronic pen 9 will beexplained. As depicted in FIG. 9, the electronic pen 9 includes atransmission circuit 91 and a lead body 92. The transmission circuit 91is formed of an inductance-capacitance (LC) oscillation circuitemploying the oscillation of a coil and a capacitor, for example, andgenerates a signal at a prescribed frequency. The lead body 92 isconfigured as an electrode lead made of hard resin into which aconductor such as conductive metal or conductive powder has been mixed.The lead body 92 will be referred to as an electrode lead 92 in thefollowing explanation.

The electrode lead 92 in this example is also hollow and filled withink. A metallic tip implementing the ballpoint pen function is providedat the tip end of the electrode lead 92. Leaving handwriting on a papermedium with ink is also possible by moving the tip in contact with thepaper medium. Further, the transmission circuit 91 and the electrodelead 92 are connected together by a connection line made of a conductorso that a transmission signal from the transmission circuit 91 issupplied through the electrode lead 92 to the tip at the tip end of theelectrode lead 92 and transmitted from the tip.

Next, the configuration of the capacitive type coordinate sensor 1SXwill be described. As depicted in FIG. 9, the coordinate sensor 1SX isformed of a sensor 1BX and a coordinate data formation circuit 400connected to the sensor 1BX. While a cross-sectional view is omittedhere, the sensor 1BX in this example is formed by stacking a firstconductor set 16, an insulation layer (not depicted), and a secondconductor set 17 in this order from the bottom. The first conductor set16 is formed by parallelly arranging a plurality of first conductors16Y1, 16Y2, . . . , and 16Ym (m: integer larger than or equal to 1)extending in a transverse direction (X-axis direction) at prescribedintervals in the Y-axis direction, for example.

The second conductor set 17 is formed by parallelly arranging aplurality of second conductors 17X1, 17X2, . . . , and 17Xn (n: integerlarger than or equal to 1) extending in a direction crossing theextending direction of the first conductors 16Y1, 16Y2, . . . , and16Ym, specifically, extending in a longitudinal direction (Y-axisdirection) orthogonal to the extending direction in this example, atprescribed intervals in the X-axis direction.

As above, the sensor 1BX of the coordinate sensor 1SX has aconfiguration for detecting the position indicated by the capacitivetype electronic pen 9 by using a sensor pattern formed by arranging thefirst conductor set 16 and the second conductor set 17 to cross eachother. In the following description, when it is unnecessary todiscriminate each conductor from other conductors in regard to the firstconductors 16Y1, 16Y2, . . . , and 16Ym, the conductor will be referredto as a first conductor 16Y. Similarly, when it is unnecessary todiscriminate each conductor from other conductors in regard to thesecond conductors 17X1, 17X2, . . . , and 17Xn, the conductor will bereferred to as a second conductor 17X.

The coordinate data formation circuit 400 includes a selection circuit401 as an input/output interface with the sensor 1BX, an amplificationcircuit 402, a bandpass filter 403, a wave detection circuit 404, asample hold circuit 405, an analog to digital (AD) conversion circuit406, and a process control circuit 407.

The selection circuit 401 selects one conductor 16Y or 17X from thefirst conductor set 16 and the second conductor set 17 based on acontrol signal from the process control circuit 407. The conductorselected by the selection circuit 401 is connected to the amplificationcircuit 402 and the signal from the electronic pen 9 is detected by theselected conductor and amplified by the amplification circuit 402. Theoutput of the amplification circuit 402 is supplied to the bandpassfilter 403 and only components at the frequency of the signaltransmitted from the electronic pen 9 are extracted.

The output signal of the bandpass filter 403 is detected by the wavedetection circuit 404. The output signal of the wave detection circuit404 is supplied to the sample hold circuit 405, sample-held withprescribed timing according to a sampling signal from the processcontrol circuit 407, and thereafter converted by the AD conversioncircuit 406 into a digital value. The digital data from the ADconversion circuit 406 is read and processed by the process controlcircuit 407.

The process control circuit 407 operates to transmit control signalsindividually to the sample hold circuit 405, the AD conversion circuit406, and the selection circuit 401 according to a program stored in aninternal read-only memory (ROM). The process control circuit 407calculates positional coordinates on the sensor 1BX indicated by theelectronic pen 9 from the digital data supplied from the AD conversioncircuit 406.

Specifically, the process control circuit 407 first supplies theselection circuit 401 with a selection signal for successively selectingthe second conductors 17X1 to 17Xn, for example, and reads dataoutputted from the AD conversion circuit 406 as a signal level when eachof the second conductors 17X1 to 17Xn is selected. When none of thesignal levels of the second conductors 17X1 to 17Xn reaches a prescribedvalue, the process control circuit 407 determines that the electronicpen 9 is not on the sensor 1BX and repeats the control for successivelyselecting the second conductors 17X1 to 17Xn.

When a signal at a level higher than or equal to the prescribed value isdetected from one of the second conductors 17X1 to 17Xn, the processcontrol circuit 407 memorizes the number of a second conductor 17X fromwhich the highest signal level is detected and the numbers of multiplesecond conductors 17X in the vicinity of the former second conductor17X. Then, the process control circuit 407 controls the selectioncircuit 401 to successively select the first conductors 16Y1 to 16Ym andreads the signal levels from the AD conversion circuit 406. At thattime, the process control circuit 407 memorizes the number of a firstconductor 16Y from which the highest signal level is detected and thenumbers of multiple first conductors 16Y in the vicinity of the formerfirst conductor 16Y.

Then, the process control circuit 407 detects the position on the sensor1BX indicated by the electronic pen 9 based on the number of the secondconductor 17X from which the highest signal level is detected, thenumber of the first conductor 16Y from which the highest signal level isdetected, and the multiple second conductors 17X and first conductors16Y in the vicinity memorized as above. Coordinate data representing theposition on the sensor 1BX detected as above is supplied from theprocess control circuit 407 to the controller 200 and transmitted to theexternal electronic device via the transmission antenna AT provided inthe antenna assembly 200A of the controller 200.

As described above, the coordinate input device according to the presentdisclosure can be implemented also when a coordinate sensor 1SX of thecapacitive type and an electronic pen 9 corresponding to the coordinatesensor 1SX are used.

Effects of Embodiments

In the coordinate input devices of the embodiments described above, thewhole of the surface of the sensor 1B opposite to the side facing theelectronic pen 2 is covered with the shield sheet 1C. By placing theshield sheet 1C in between, the controller 200 as a signal source can bearranged in the vicinity of the sensor 1B to face the sensor 1B.Accordingly, the downsizing of the coordinate input device can bepromoted since it is unnecessary to separate the controller 200 and thesensor 1B from each other in terms of distance. The transmission antennaAT connected to the controller 200 is arranged outside the regioncovered with the shield sheet 1C. With this configuration, thecoordinate data, etc. that should be transmitted to the externalelectronic device can be appropriately transmitted to the externalelectronic device without being screened out by the shield sheet 1C.

The controller 200 can be configured as a circuit board in which theprincipal part provided with the CPU 201, the memory 202, thetransmitter 203, etc. and the transmission antenna are integratedtogether as explained with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case,as explained with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the transmission antennais provided in the antenna assembly 200A formed to protrude from part ofthe controller 200 configured as a circuit board. With thisconfiguration, the principal part of the controller 200 can be arrangedin the vicinity of the sensor 1B across the shield sheet 1C, and thetransmission antenna AT can be arranged to be situated outside theregion covered with the shield sheet.

The coordinate input device is configured to transmit the coordinatedata detected by the sensor 1B to the external electronic device via thememory (storage). With this configuration, countermeasures such asretransmission can be taken in case of trouble. Further, it is possibleto successively accumulate the coordinate data in the memory (storage)and to transmit the accumulated coordinate data to the externalelectronic device all at once when the operation button 207 is operated.Accordingly, it is possible, for example, to transmit coordinate dataregarding one page, corresponding to handwriting on one page of anotepad, to the external electronic device all at once.

Since the coordinate data are transmitted by using radio waves, the datatransmission and reception can be carried out reliably compared towireless transmission using infrared rays. Further, since the whole ofthe surface of the sensor 1B opposite to the surface facing theelectronic pen 2 is covered with the shield sheet 1C, it is possible toarrange also the battery, the coordinate data formation, etc. in thevicinity of the sensor 1B to face the sensor 1B across the shield sheet1C. With this configuration, further downsizing of the coordinate inputdevice can be realized.

A manipulandum for switching the on/off of the supply of the electricpower can be provided integrally with the controller 200. This makes itpossible to simplify the configuration of the coordinate input device.The electronic pen attachment part provided on the coordinate inputdevice prevents loss of the electronic pen when it is not used. The clip1X provided as the attachment part for a notepad (handwriting recordmedium) makes it possible to use the coordinate input device togetherwith the notepad.

Providing the electronic pen with the function of being capable ofleaving handwriting (ballpoint pen function) makes it possible tosimultaneously perform the recording of the handwriting on the notepadand the inputting of the coordinate data corresponding to thehandwriting. With this configuration, thanks to the simultaneouslyinputted coordinate data, the coordinate data (electronic data)corresponding to the handwriting recorded on the notepad can be usedwithout the trouble of scanning the handwriting on the notepad by usinga scanner or the like.

The coordinate input devices 5 and 5A of the cover type can easily beused in combination with the tablet PC 6 as explained with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. Further, the transmission antenna AT of the controller200 is provided to be situated on the side where the tablet PC used incombination is mounted. With this configuration, the coordinate datafrom the coordinate sensor 1S can be communicated reliably between thecoordinate input device and the tablet PC used adjacently. Furthermore,since the cover type coordinate input devices 5 and 5A can be folded inhalf, a configuration convenient to carry can be realized while alsoprotecting the tablet PC used in combination.

Since sensors of the electromagnetic induction type, the electromagneticresonance type, and the capacitive type can be used as the coordinatesensor, the variety of the actual configuration and mode of thecoordinate input device can be increased. Accordingly, an appropriatetype of coordinate sensor can be selected according to conditions suchas purpose and cost.

MODIFICATIONS

While the controller 200 was described to have the function oftransmitting the coordinate data to an external electronic device in theabove embodiments, the controller 200 is not limited to such examples.For example, the controller 200 may also be configured to have atransmission/reception function and to bidirectionally performcommunication with the external electronic device. With thisconfiguration, when the coordinate data is not received appropriately onthe external electronic device's side, for example, retransmission ofthe coordinate data can be requested and carried out.

It is also possible to configure the external electronic device totransmit a coordinate data supply request and the coordinate inputdevice 1, 5, or 5A to transmit the coordinate data in response to thesupply request. In this case, it is desirable to install software forimplementing such a function in the external electronic device and thecontroller 200 of the coordinate input device 1, 5, or 5A.

While the power is turned on/off through the operation button in theabove embodiments, the part to be turned on can be divided into someparts. For example, the need of transmitting the coordinate data doesnot arise when there is no targeted external electronic device in theclose vicinity. Thus, it is also possible to set a mode in which thepower is not supplied to components implementing the transmissionfunction such as the transmitter 203 and a mode in which the power issupplied to the entire device and to selectively use these modesappropriately depending on the situation.

For example, control for turning on the power can be carried out in sucha manner that the power is supplied not to circuitry implementing thetransmission function but to the other circuitry when the operationbutton is depressed once and the power is supplied to the entirecircuitry when the operation button is depressed twice. In this case,the power supply mode is indicated to the user in a way like lightingthe LED 208 alone when the transmission function is not activated andlighting the LEDs 208 and 209 when the power is supplied to the entiredevice. It is also possible to notify the user that the device is in thestate of transmitting coordinate data by performing control like makingthe LEDs 208 and 209 blink at the time of transmitting coordinate data,for example.

While examples of using the coordinate input device and a tablet PC incombination are described in the above embodiments, the combined use ofthe coordinate input device is not limited to such examples. Thecoordinate input device 1, 5, or 5A is usable in combination with notonly a tablet PC but also various types of electronic devices having awireless communication function employing the same communication method.For example, the coordinate input device according to the presentdisclosure is also usable in combination with a desktop personalcomputer, a notebook personal computer, a highly functional cellularphone terminal called a smartphone or the like, and so forth.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1—Coordinate input device, 1A—Top cover (top plate), 1B, 1BX—Sensor,1C—Shield sheet, 1D—Sensor cover, 1S, 1SX—Coordinate sensor, 1X—Clip,100, 400—Coordinate data formation circuit, 200—Controller, 200A″Antenna assembly, 200U—User I/F, 200C—IF, 201—CPU, 202—Memory,203—Transmission, 204—USB terminal, 205—Battery terminal, 206—Connectionterminal, 207—Operation button, 208, 209—LED, 300—Battery, 5, 5A—Covertype coordinate input device, 51—Coordinate sensor assembly, 52,52A—Tablet PC mount, 53—Spine, 54—Electronic pen attachment, 55—Hook,56—Band, 57—Holder, 58—Sleeve, 2, 9—Electronic pen, 3—Notepad, 8—Binder

1. A coordinate input device comprising: a sensor which, in operation,detects coordinates corresponding to a position indicated by anelectronic pen; a top plate that covers an input surface of the sensorfacing the electronic pen; a shield sheet having electrical conductivityand magnetic properties that is provided to cover a whole of a surfaceof the sensor opposite to the input surface of the sensor; a coordinatedata formation circuit which, in operation, forms coordinate data basedon detection output of the sensor in response to an operation input viathe top plate; and a controller that is connected with a transmissionantenna and that faces the sensor with the shield sheet disposed betweenthe sensor and the controller, wherein the controller, in operation,performs control to hold the coordinate data formed by the coordinatedata formation circuit and to wirelessly transmit the coordinate data toan external device, wherein the controller is connected with anoperation button or a light emitting diode (LED) arranged outside of aregion covered with the shield sheet, and wherein the controller isarranged inside of the region covered with the shield sheet.
 2. Thecoordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising: astorage that accumulates the coordinate data formed by the coordinatedata formation circuit, wherein the controller, in operation, performscontrol to transmit the coordinate data accumulated in the storage tothe external device.
 3. The coordinate input device according to claim2, wherein the controller is connected with at least the operationbutton arranged outside of the region covered with the shield sheet, andwherein the controller, in operation, performs control to transmit thecoordinate data accumulated in the storage when the operation button isoperated.
 4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, whereinthe controller, in operation, performs control to transmit thecoordinate data by using radio waves.
 5. The coordinate input deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a battery supplying power to thecoordinate data formation circuit and the controller is arranged facingthe sensor with the shield sheet disposed between the sensor and thebattery supplying power to the coordinate data formation circuit.
 6. Thecoordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor isattachable to and detachable from the top plate.
 7. The coordinate inputdevice according to claim 1, wherein a handwriting record mediumattachment clip that enables a handwriting record medium to be attachedis provided on the input surface of the sensor facing the electronicpen.
 8. The coordinate input device according to claim 7, furthercomprising: an electronic pen attachment part that attaches theelectronic pen to the coordinate input device.
 9. The coordinate inputdevice according to claim 7, wherein the electronic pen has a lead bodyconfigured to leave handwriting on a handwriting record medium.
 10. Thecoordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the operationbutton or the LED is disposed on the top plate on which the handwritingrecord medium is disposed when the handwriting record medium is attachedto the coordinate input device.
 11. The coordinate input deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the top plate is foldable in half, whereinthe sensor is disposed on a first side of two sides of the top platethat face each other when the top plate is folded in half, and whereinan electronic device having a receiver which, in operation, receives asignal transmitted from the transmission antenna is arranged on a secondside of the two sides of the top plate that face each other when the topplate is folded in half.
 12. The coordinate input device according toclaim 11, wherein the transmission antenna connected with the controlleris provided adjacent to a part of the top plate along which the topplate folds in half.
 13. The coordinate input device according to claim11, wherein the transmission antenna connected with the controller isprovided in a center part of the top plate.
 14. The coordinate inputdevice according to claim 1, wherein the top plate is foldable in half,wherein the sensor is arranged on a first side of two sides of the topplate that face each other when the top plate is folded in half, andwherein a storage area in which an electronic device is stored isprovided on a second side of the two sides of the top plate that faceeach other when the top plate is folded in half, wherein the electronicdevice has a receiver which, in operation, receives a signal transmittedfrom the transmission antenna.
 15. The coordinate input device accordingto claim 1, wherein the sensor is of an electromagnetic induction type.16. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensoris of an electromagnetic resonance type that cooperates with theelectronic pen.
 17. The coordinate input device according to claim 1,wherein the sensor is of a capacitive type.
 18. The coordinate inputdevice according to claim 1, wherein the controller is connected with atleast the LED arranged outside of the region covered with the shieldsheet, and wherein the controller, in operation, lights up the LEDduring a transmission of the coordinate data and extinguishes the LEDafter the transmission of the coordinate data is complete.
 19. Thecoordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the controller isconnected with the operation button and the LED arranged outside of theregion covered with the shield sheet, wherein the controller, inoperation, performs control to transmit the coordinate data when theoperation button is operated, and wherein the controller, in operation,lights up the LED during a transmission of the coordinate data andextinguishes the LED after the transmission of the coordinate data iscomplete.